How to Unblock a File to Stop "Open File - Security Warning" and "Windows 8 SmartScreen" Prompt
Information
This will show you how to unblock a file that you have downloaded or copied from the internet or external source to no longer get the "Open File - Security Warning" or "Windows 8 SmartScreen" prompt when you open or run the file.
The Open File - Security Warning prompt is a security measure in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 to ask for your permission (like UAC) before allowing a downloaded or copied file from the internet or another computer to be opened or run on your computer.
EXAMPLE: "Windows protected your PC" from Windows 8 SmartScreen
EXAMPLE: Open File - Security Warning
Do you want to open this File? Unknown Publisher
The Publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software? Unknown Publisher
Do you want tio run this file?Application
OPTION ONE
To Unblock the File Through Properties Page
NOTE:This option can only be done when the file or folder is still in one of your C:\Users\(user-name) folder locations. For example, your Desktop or Downloads folder. If it's not, then you will need to move the file to this location first, unblock it, then move it back.
1. Right click or press and hold on the file, and click/tap on Properties.
2. Under the General tab, click/tap on the Unblock button, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below) NOTE:If you do not see an Unblock button, then the file has already been unblocked.
3. You will now no longer get a Open File - Security Warning prompt when you try to open or run this specific file.
OPTION TWO
Unblock File when you Open or Run it and get "Open File - Security Warning"
NOTE:This option will unblock the file no matter where it's located.
1.Open or Run the file to trigger the Open File - Security Warning prompt.
2. In the Open File - Security Warning prompt, uncheck the Always ask before opening this file box, then click/tap on either the Open or Run button. (see screenshots below)
3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista), or enter the administrator's password (standard user). NOTE:You will only be prompted by UAC if the file is not in one of the C:\Users\(user-name) folder locations, and in a system folder (ex: C:\Windows) instead.
4. The file will now open or run, and you will now no longer get a Open File - Security Warning prompt when you try to open or run this specific file next time.
OPTION THREE
Unblock File when you Open or Run it and get "Windows 8 SmartScreen"
NOTE:This option only applies to Windows 8. Doing OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO above will also unblock the file to no longer get the "Windows protected your PC" prompt from Windows 8 SmartScreen.
1.Open or Run the file to trigger the Windows protected your PC prompt. NOTE:If you do not get this prompt, then the file has already been unblocked, and there's nothing else that needs to be done.
2. Click/tap on the More info link. (see screenshot below)
3. Click/tap on the Run anyway button. (see screenshot below)
4. The file will now open or run, and you will now no longer get a Windows protected your PC prompt when you try to open or run this specific file next time.
Yes, you could just turn off UAC, but this shows you how to stop this warning message for a file without disabling UAC protection for the entire computer.
I've got the same problem, but my dialog do not have the tick-box saying "Always ask before opening this file", nor do I have the button saying "Unblock" in the file properties dialog. What can I do?
System Manufacturer/Model Number Selfbuild OS Windows 7 home premium 64 bit CPU Intel i7 - 920 2.66 GHz Motherboard Asus P6T Deluxe Memory Corsair 3 x 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card Gainward 9800GT PCI-E 512MB DDR3 Sound Card Motherboard Monitor(s) Displays Eizo Flexscan S2231W
PSU Corsair TX 750W Case Cooler Master Centurion 590 Cooling Fans Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA
Western Digital WD20EARS
Western Digital WD1001FALS Internet Speed 12Mbit/700kBit
System Manufacturer/Model Number Selfbuild OS Windows 7 home premium 64 bit CPU Intel i7 - 920 2.66 GHz Motherboard Asus P6T Deluxe Memory Corsair 3 x 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card Gainward 9800GT PCI-E 512MB DDR3 Sound Card Motherboard Monitor(s) Displays Eizo Flexscan S2231W
PSU Corsair TX 750W Case Cooler Master Centurion 590 Cooling Fans Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA
Western Digital WD20EARS
Western Digital WD1001FALS Internet Speed 12Mbit/700kBit
Right click on the shortcut, and click on Properties, Shortcut tab, Open file Location button. Next, check that program's exe file to see if it's unblocked.
If the exe file is still unblocked after you unblocked it and checked again, then move the file to the desktop, unblock it at this location, and move it back.
System Manufacturer/Model Number Selfbuild OS Windows 7 home premium 64 bit CPU Intel i7 - 920 2.66 GHz Motherboard Asus P6T Deluxe Memory Corsair 3 x 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card Gainward 9800GT PCI-E 512MB DDR3 Sound Card Motherboard Monitor(s) Displays Eizo Flexscan S2231W
PSU Corsair TX 750W Case Cooler Master Centurion 590 Cooling Fans Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA
Western Digital WD20EARS
Western Digital WD1001FALS Internet Speed 12Mbit/700kBit
System Manufacturer/Model Number Selfbuild OS Windows 7 home premium 64 bit CPU Intel i7 - 920 2.66 GHz Motherboard Asus P6T Deluxe Memory Corsair 3 x 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card Gainward 9800GT PCI-E 512MB DDR3 Sound Card Motherboard Monitor(s) Displays Eizo Flexscan S2231W
PSU Corsair TX 750W Case Cooler Master Centurion 590 Cooling Fans Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA
Western Digital WD20EARS
Western Digital WD1001FALS Internet Speed 12Mbit/700kBit
Information
Warning
OPTION ONE 
Remove Open File - Security Warning 
